Watch box



B. s. KATz' Dec. 24, 194-0.

WATCH BOX 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 22, 195'? Jul-00M s. mrz,

III-III lnlllllwl BENJAMIN Patented Dec. 24, 1940 UNITED STATES 2,225,998 WATCH BOX Benjamin S. Katz, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The Gruen Watch Company, Cincinnati, Ohio,

a corporation of Ohio Application November 22, 1937, Serial No. 175,756

3 Claims.

This invention relates to watch boxes. It is an object of this invention to provide a watch box for supporting, enclosing and/or displaying a wrist watch which comprises a base 5 member having side members or leaves hingedly attached thereto, with a section of the base readily removable and provided with supporting and/or display means for the watch.

It is a further object of this invention to prom vide such a construction wherein the leaves or side members are provided with inwardly directed flanges adapted for engagement in the closed position of the box.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, in such a construction, means hingedly attaching the leaves or side members to the base member in such manner that they will be disposed at an angle to the horizontal, longitudinally or from front to rear of the box, and to define an 20 open position for the leaves wherein the sides thereof are spaced from surfaces supporting the base of the box.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, in such hinge means. a spring member providing snap engagement of the flanges of the leaves, in closed position of the box, to form a dust-proof enclosure. v

It is a further object of this invention to provide means for hingedly attaching the leaves to the watch box case comprising cooperating surfaces on the base and leaves and resilient leaf spring means providing connection between the base and the leaves and constantly maintaining the cooperating surfaces in engagement with one another.

It is a further object of this invention to provide means on the base and leaves adapted for cooperation with the end portions of the leaf spring members to limit outward movement of 40 the leaves with respect to the base and thus define the open position of the leaves. 7

It is a further object of this invention to provide a watch box construction wherein the base and leaves are formed of moulded plastic ma- 45 terial, such as Bakelite or other suitable moulded synthetic resin material and to provide moulded aperture means in the base for permitting ease of insertion of the connecting spring means through the base for attachment between the base 5 and the leaves.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, in such a construction, a watch support and display comprising a removable section in the base having secured thereto suitable supporting means for a strap watch or other article.

It is a further object of this invention to provide cooperating surfaces on the base and associated. section or display member providing for ease of secure attachment and detachment of the display member and the base.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a construction of base and removable section or display member wherein, when the box is in closed position, the removable section or display member is securely locked in position on the base by engagement with surfaces thereof of the front end surfaces of the inwardly directed flanges of the leaves or side members in such manner that the spring, in maintaining the flanges of the leaves or side members in dustproof engagement, will maintain like engagement between the front end surfaces of the flanges-and the upper surface of' the removable section or, display member.

' It is a further object of this invention to provide means on the removable section or display member for supporting price tag means for indicating the price of a watch or the like supported thereon.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a construction of display member which appears integral with the base when attached thereto and which, when removed, is adapted to provide adequate support for the watch support means thereon and a supported watch on the Watch support means.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, in such a watch box construction, a base member having hingedly secured thereto for lateral movement a pair of substantially cup-shaped leaves or side members having engageable inwardly directed flanges and to provide for cooperation therewith a unit adapted for connection to and removal from the base, which unit comprises a base member or pedestal having thereon watch supporting means and price tag supporting means, the removability of which permits greatest flexibility of display arrangement by a vendor utilizing the watch box for display purposes.

These and other objects and advantages will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a watch box constructed according to the principles of this invention, in closed position;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the structure shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the watch box shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the watch box shown in Figures 1 to 4, in open position;

Figure 6 is a front elevational view, partly in section, and showing the righthand portion, leaf, or cover thereof in closed position, in full lines, and indicating, in dotted lines, the open position thereof, while the lefthand portion, leaf or cover is shown in open position and in section, the section being taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a section taken substantially on the line 'I'I of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section similar to Figure 6, but showing the lining means and the removable section or display member removed from the base and leaves or cover members, which latter members are shown in open position; and

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view, similar to Figure 7, but with the watch support means broken away in order more fully to show the spring means for connecting to the base the side portion, cover member, or leaf which is shown in upraised or closed position.

Referring to the drawings in detail and with reference particularly to Figures 1 to 5, the watch box comprises the base member I having hingedly secured thereon the side'members, cover members or leaves 2. The base member I is also provided with a removable section, generally designated 3, which forms a display member and which has secured thereto in a manner which will hereinafter more clearly appear, a substantially C- shaped resilient watch support member 4, the exterior surface of which is engageable with the interior of the base or bracelet of a wrist watch for supporting the watch in spaced relation with respect to the base I or the display member 3, as well as the flat sides of the side members or leaves 2. The base I, the cover members or leaves 2 and display member 3 are preferably formed of moulded plastic material such as Bakelite, synthetic resin or the like, while the watch support member 4 is preferably formed of resilient metallic material provided with a suitable covering such as velvet or the like. It is, of course, to be understood that other suitable materials may be used in the construction of a watch box according to the principles of this invention.

As shown particularly in Figures 6 to 9 inclusiVe, the base member, which is generally designated I, is provided with a substantially horizontal floor portion 5 having corner bosses 6 formed on the lower surface thereof. Extending upwardly from the floor portion 5 of the base are side walls I terminating upwardly in forwardly and downwardly inclined rounded hinge surfaces 8. These side walls I are joined, at the rear, by the rear wall 9 which extends therebetween and which terminates upwardly in the straight surface I0.

Partial walls II extend inwardly from the forward ends of the side walls I and terminate in substantially vertical surfaces I2 which are adapted for close abutting engagement with the front wall of the display member 3, hereinafter more clearly described. These partial walls II have straight upper surfaces adapted for alignment with the upper surface of the front wall of the display member 3, hereinafter more clearly described. Adjacent each rounded upper surface 8 and disposed inwardly thereof is a flat surface I2 correspondingly inclined and adapted for stop engagement with a corresponding surface of the leaves, or cover members 2, as hereinafter described.

Intermediate its length, the base I is provided with apertures I3 extending upwardly from the bottom thereof and disposed in these apertures I3 are undercut slots I4 adapted to receive the lower end of the hinge spring member, hereinafter described. A suitable portion of each rounded surface 8 is cut away for accommodating this spring member, as indicated at I5.

Adjacent the rear wall 9 and extending upwardly from the bottom of the base l is a transverse aperture I6 which cooperates with an upwardly directed flange I'I parallel thereto and disposed forwardly thereof to accommodate the rearwardly directed stepped end portion of the member 3, as hereinafter more clearly described. The flange I1 is provided at its upper end with a flat substantially horizontal surface I8 adapted to have the above-mentioned stepped end portion rest thereupon (see Figure 9). Forwardly of the flange H, the floor plate 5 of the base I is substantially flat on its upper surface and terminates forwardly in the retaining shoulder or wall I9 which is adapted to cooperate with a suitable stepped portion of the front wall of the member 3 to retain the member 3 in position in the supporting enclosure formed by the flange H at the rear, the wall I9 at the front and the side walls I at each side, as hereinafter more clearly described. As illustrated in the respective figures, the rear wall 9, side walls 'I and wall portions I! are formed on their outer sides with ornamental contours which may, of course, be modified within rather wide limits to secure varying decorative effects.

On the outside of each side wall I adjacent and parallel to the rounded hinged surfaces 8 are shoulders 20 which provide stop means for limiting the outward swinging movement of the leaves 2, as shown in Figures 6 and 8. The leaves or cover members 2 are each similar, though reversedly disposed, and each comprises a substantially arcuate side wall 2| terminating at its inner or lower side in a straight edge 22. Each straight edge 22 is provided with a concave rounded hinged surface 23 which is substantially complementary to the rounded hinged surface 8 on the base member I, with which it is adapted to engage. A part of the edge surface 22 is cut away at 24 for alignment with the cutaway portions I5, and an undercut slot 25 is disposed adjacent and in parallelism with this cutaway portion 24, and this undercut slot 25 is adapted to receive the hook-shaped upper end of a resilient leaf spring member 26, which member 26 has its lower end disposed in the slot I I in a side wall I of the base I.

The spring member 26 constantly maintains the concave or grooved hinge surface 23 in engagement with a complementary surface 8 on the base, as shown in Figures 6 to 9 inclusive, and the leaves or side cover members 2 may be swung outwardly to a position adjacent that illustrated in Figure 8, wherein the shoulder 20 on the base will be engaged by the outer surface of the member 2| adjacent the hinged surface 23 in such manner as to limit outward swinging movement of the leaves or cover members 2 with respect to the base and define an outward position wherein the walls 2| thereof will be substantially spaced from a surface supporting the base I. The members 2 may be readily, manually swung upwardly, and the resiliency of the spring member 26 will cause them to snap together in substantially vertical position, as shown in Figures 2 and 4.

The arcuate portions of the walls 2| are provided with inwardly directed flanges 21 forming arcuate walls therefor and adjacent the inner edge of each flange or arcuate wall 21 is disposed an outwardly directed flattened circumferential flange 28, and the flattened surfaces of the flanges 28 are adapted for close, dust-proof abutment in the closed position of the box, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4. The rear end of each flange or arcuate wall 21 terminates in a surface 29 which is adapted, when the box is closed, to engage the surface In of the rear wall 9 of the base, as shown in Figure 4.

The forward end of each flange or arcuate wall 21 is provided with a flat surface 30 which is adapted, when the box is closed, to engage the fiat upper surface of each wall portion II as well as the flat top portion of the member 3, hereinafter more clearly described. The engagement of the surfaces 29 and 30 with abutting surfaces of the base and display member 3 is dust-proof, as is the engagement of the flattened surfaces of flanges 28, described above.

Adjacent the undercut slots 25 in the side walls 2| of the members 2, these side walls 2| are provided with thickened portions 25a surrounding the undercut slots 25 for the purpose of providing necessary strength. The display member 3 comprises, in effect, a removable section of the base member and also serves as a support for the watch support member 4. This member 3 has a forward wall 3| provided with an outer surface having the same contour as the outer surfaces of wall portions having side edge surfaces 32 adapted for close abutting engagement with the surfaces 2 of wall portions H and an upper straight surface 33 adapted for close abutting engagement with the front end surfaces 30 of flanges or arcuate walls 21 of the leaves or side cover members 2, as shown in Figure 2.

The wall 3| is provided at its forward and lower portion with a step comprising a substantially horizontal surface 34 adapted to rest upon the complementary surface of the member I be. tween the lower corners of wall portions H and also the substantially vertical surface 35 which is adapted to engage the forward wall I9 in the base l, as shown in Figure 9. Formed integrally with the front wall 3| is the plate portion 36 which extends rearwardly and substantially horizontally and which is provided just rearwardly of the wall 3| with a transversely disposed aperture 3'! extending therethrough from top to bottom and joining a rearwardly extending groove or channel 38 in the under surface of the plate 36. The aperture 31 and groove or channel 38 are adapted to receive a substantially L-shaped price card holder 39 (Figure 9).

Substantially midway of its length, the portion 36 is provided with a suitable aperture for receiving the screw bolt 40 which has its head recessed in the top surface thereof and which extends through a suitable aperture provided in the member 39 and also through a suitable aperture provided in the transversely disposed lower end of the member 4| which is preferably integral with the watch support member 4 and which is disposed in a suitable channel provided in the lower surface of the member 36 and extending crosswise of the channel 38. The nut member 42 rigidly secures adjacent portions of the member 36, member 39 and member 4| together, as shown in Figure 9.

The member 4|, as shown in Figure 6, extends upwardly at one side of the member 36 through a suitable notch provided therein and is then bent back upon itself in substantially horizontal direction and has integrally formed therewith or rigidly secured thereto in suitable manner the substantially c-shaped resilient metal member 43 which is provided with a textile or other suitable cover 44 to form the watch support member, generally designated 4. The upward and substantially vertical extension of the member 4| sufficiently spaces the lower portion of the loop formed by the member 43 and its cover 44 for a sufiicient distance above the upper surface of the member 36 to easily and readily accommodate a watch strap or bracelet which may be surroundingly engaged with the outer surface of the loop member and buckled thereon in such manner that the watch attached to the watch bracelet or strap will be supported in spaced relation with respect to the member 3; and due to the resiliency of the members 4| and 43, the support provided for the watch will be substantially shock-proof, while the spacing of the sides of the loop, generally designated 4, from the side walls 2| of leaves or side cover members 2 will prevent the striking of the supported watch against these walls; while the spacing of the loop from the arcuate walls or flanges 21 of the members 2 will likewise prevent the striking of the supported watch against the inner surfaces of the arcuate walls 21.

At its rear end, the member 36 is provided with a suitable step formed by the substantially horizontal wall 45 adapted to rest upon the surface |8 of the flange I! and the substantially vertical surface 46 adapted for engagement with the forward wall of the flange IT to prevent excessive rearward movement of the member 3 with respect to the base The inner surface of the rear wall 9 has its lower termination at the edge portion 9a which is adapted for engagement with the upper transverse edge of the member 36 to prevent upward movement of the rear end of the member 36 with respect to the base I, when positioned therein, as shown in Figure 9.

In Figure 9, the clearance between the engaging surfaces of the member 36 and the base I has been exaggerated in the interest of clearness, and in the actual construction, the parts are closely fitted one to the other. The inner surfaces of the side walls 2| and the upper surface of the portion 5 and intermediate portions of the side walls are provided with suitable lining of textile material or the like, which comprises the transversely'arranged strip 41 directly attached, as by adhesive, to surfaces of the base and side walls 2| to cover the hinged spring members 26,.

and superposed upon this strip 41 is a second strip 48 of a width substantially equal to the length of the recess provided in the base I between forward wall l9 and flange I1, and this strip is attached to the upper surface of the strip 41 and surrounding areas of the base and side walls 2|, I

superposed upon the strip 48 is a strip 49 of textile material, artificial leather, or the like, having substantially the same area as a recess provided in the base between the wall l9 and flange l1, and this lining member is directly attached to the strip 48 by means of adhesive or the like.

The inner surfaces of the side walls 2| are provided with suitably shaped pad members 53 preferably of cardboard or other suitable shock absorbent material having a textile covering secured thereto, which covering is preferably of the same material as the strip 43. The pad members 50 are directly secured to the inner surfaces of the side walls 2| by adhesive or other suitable means. The pad members 50 are preferably covered with a material of a texture and color providing desirable contrast with the material of the members 2, and the pads are particularly adapted to receive trade marks, slogans, manufacturers names, and other suitable advertising matter thereon, which, due to the inclination of the side walls 2| to the horizontal by reason of the inclination of hinge surface 8, is presented fully to the eye of an observer.

The price card holder 39 is formed of suitable resilient material and the forward, upwardly directed end is adapted for close engagement with the rear surface of the wall 2| in such manner that a price card may be slipped between this wall and the adjacent surface of the member 39 and securely retained in position by the resiliency of the member 39. This means, in combination with the advertising matter provided on the pads 50 fully describes the merchandise displayed when the watch box is in open position, as illustrated in Figure 5. Furthermore, the price card holder is supported by the display member 3 and is removable from the base I therewith in such manner that the member 3 and watch support member 4, along with the associated price tag, may be removed as a unit from the base I and the leaves or side cover members 2 of the box and readily disposed in any suitable position or relation in the making of window displays.

The rigid attachment of the member 4| to the display member 3 and the length of the portion 35 of the member 3 provides adequate bracing for the resilient loop member 4 when the member 3 and the associated loop member 4 are removed from the watch box. Furthermore, the outer surface of the front wall 3| is particularly adapted to display the name of the manufacturer of the displayed goods and, as this wall is a part of the member 3, the manufacturers name will be displayed in close relation to the watch irrespective of whether the display member 3 is secured to the base I or widely separated therefrom.

In Figure 9, the display member 3 is illustrated as inserted in the base I. The surface 911, in combination with the surface I8, prevents vertical relative movement between the rear portion of the member 36 and the base I, while the surfaces 35 and 46 prevent longitudinal displacement between the member 3 and base I. When the leaves or cover members 2 are in closed position, as shown in Figure 2, the close abutting engagement of surfaces 30 and 33 prevents upward movement of the forward wall 3| with respect to the base I. Thus, when the leaves or cover members 2 are in closed position, the display member 3 is secured in the base member I against relative movement in any direction, because abutment of surfaces 33 with surfaces I2 prevents transverse movement of the front wall 3!, while the spacing of the interior surfaces of the side walls 1 prevents relative lateral movement between other parts of the display member 3 and the base I.

In order to remove the display member 3 from the base I, it is merely necessary to swing the .leaves or cover members 2 laterally outwardly for a sufficient distance to allow spring members 26 to snap them outwardly to the position of Figures 5, 6 and 8, at which time the surfaces 30 will be released from the surface 33 of the front wall 3| of the display member 3. The forward end of the display member 3 may then be swung upwardly so that the surface l8 forms a pivot for the rear portion of the member 36 and, when the surface 35 of the front wall has been raised sufficiently high to fully clear the surface I9, the member 3 may be moved forwardly to clear the upper rear transverse edge of the member 36 from the edge 3a of the rear wall which fully frees the display member 3 and watch support member 4 so that they may be lifted up and totally removed from the watch box.

To re-insert the member 3 in the box I, it is merely necessary to place the member 3 between the side walls I, depress the rear end of the member 36 and move it rearwardly under the edge 9a of the rear wall and then press downwardly upon the front wall 3| of the member 3 to properly seat surfaces 34 and 35. When this has been accomplished, the member 3 is secured to the base against all movement, save upward swinging movement and, as will be clearly understood from the above description, when the leaves or cover members 2 are in closed or engaged position, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, this latter upward swinging movement of the member 3 is totally prevented by engagement of the surfaces 33 with surface 33.

A particularly notable feature of the abovedescribed construction is the fact that the spring means provided between the leaves or cover members 2 in the base is, in effect, a snap spring hinge which, when the leaves are sufficiently separated, snaps the members 2 outwardly to a predetermined position. Likewise, when the members 2 are in the position shown in Figures 5, 6 and 8, sufficient upward swinging movement of the members 2 will permit the spring members 26 to snap the leaves or cover members 2 together, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4,

When the members 2 are secured together in dust-proof abutting relation by tension of the spring means 26, the display member 3 and its watch support member 4 are securely locked to the base. When the leaves or cover members 2 are in their outward or open position, as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 8, the display member 3 is releasable, though not released, from the base I. The spring members 26, therefore, in addition to aiding in the opening and closing of the watch box by snapping the leaves or cover members 2 from the position of Figures 1, 2 and 4 to that of Figures 5 and 8 and vice versa, and also in addition to resiliently maintaining the cover members 2 in abutting, dust-proof relation or fully open position, also govern the releasability of the display member 3 and its watch support loop or member 4 with respect to the base I.

In other words, when the spring members 26 maintain the cover members 2 in closed position, they also maintain the display member and watch support member locked to the base, and when the spring members 26 maintain the cover members 2 in open position, then they unlock the display member 3 and watch support member 4 from the base so that they are manually releasable and removable therefrom.

Another important feature of the invention is the mounting of the price tag supporting means directly upon the display member 3 which, along with the attached watch support member 4, is releasable and removable from the base I and hingedly attached leaves or cover members 2. Furthermore, the spring hinge members 26, when the box is in closed position, maintain the flanges 23 of the members 2 in abutting, dust-proof relation, and also the surfaces 29 in like abutting relation to the surface I!) of the rear wall 9 of the base and the surfaces 30 in like abutting relation to the surface 33 of the member 3 and the top surfaces of the adjacent wall portions ll.

Another important feature of the invention is the provision of the apertures I3 in the base I, which permit of easy access to the undercut slots i4 and materially facilitate assembly of the leaves or side cover members 2 to the base I by insertion of the lower end of the spring hinge member '26 in the slot l4 and the upper end thereof in the undercut slot 25 of the corresponding leaf 2.

Likewise, the inclination of the hinge surfaces with respect to the horizontal properly positions the walls 2| of the members 2 and the attached pads 50 to the full View of an observer and thus imparts an additional function to the cover members 2 which, in addition to forming with the base member I, in their closed position, a dust-proof enclosure for a watch supported on the enclosed watch support member 4, also cooperate with the spring hinge members 26 to lock the display member 3 and watch support member 4 securely to the base I of the box, as above described.

It is preferred that the members I, 2 and 3 be formed of some suitable lightweight, resilient and ornamental plastic material such as Bakelite, a synthetic resin, or the like, of suitable color, and it is, of course, to be understood that suitable ornamentation may be provided on the exterior thereof, such as ornamental striping, knurling, stippling and other surfacing, and that the texture and color of the covering of the pads 50 and of the watch support 4 will be such as to provide desirable contrast to emphasize the desirable features of the displayed merchandise as well as to present, in the most convenient manner to the full vision of an observer, the displayed article, the advertising matter on pads 50, the maker's name upon the front wall 3| of the display member 3 and the price tag supported by the price tag supporting member 39 on the removable display member 3, which display member, as above explained, is a removable section of the base I.

It will be understood that the above described structure is merely illustrative of the manner in which the principles of my invention may be utilized and that I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as come within the scope of the claims and the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: l

1. In a watch box, a base with straight top edges, a pair of complementary drum shaped cover members having cut away portions hingedly attached to said base at opposite sides thereof, an independent display section releasably secured in said base for complete removal therefrom, and means on the walls of said cover members engageable with said display section in the closed position of said box to lock said display section to said base against removal therefrom.

2. In a watch box, a base member, complementary enclosure forming leaves hingedly attached thereto at opposite sides thereof, a completely removable section in said base having thereon means for supporting a strap watch in spaced relation to the walls of said leaves and said base in the closed position of said box and being widely spaced from the walls of said leaves in the open position of said box, and means on said leaves lockingly engaging said removable section in the closed position of said box.

3. A watch box, comprising a container section and a display section positoned within and removably secured to the container section, the container section comprising a substantially fiat base portion having upstanding ledges on opposing sides thereof, and complementary drum shaped cover members hingedly attached to said ledges, the display section having an upwardly projecting portion which cooperates with the ledges on the base to form a continuous support for the cover members when the latter are in closed position.

BENJ. S. KATZ. 

